Stove construction having top section securing means



JanQZO, 1948. c, ROGERS ETAL 2,434,811

STOVE CONSTRUCTION HAVING TOP SECTION SECURING MEANS Filed July 11, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 20, 1948. c. J. ROGERS a-rm. 2,434,811

' STOVE CONSTRUCTION HAVING TOP SECTION SECURING MEANS Filed July 11, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I12 Ill. 2:2 :2:

Patented Jan. 20, 1948 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE I STOVE CONSTRUCTION HAVING TOP SECTION SECURING MEANS Charles j. .Rogers, River Forest, and Jesse Bright, Elmhurst, Ill., assignors to Crown Stove Works, Cicero, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 11, 1945, Serial No. 604,416

Claims. (Cl. 126-39) This invention relates to kitchen range construction, and more particularly to the means for properly securing the assembly of the sheet metal top, for gas or electrical ranges and stoves, to the supporting front, side, and back sections thereof. In the construction of the sheet metal body for gas or electrical ranges, one of the problems has to do with effecting a secure and non-shiftable assembly of the several separately-formed stampings. In this connection, it has been the aim of stove manufacturers to provide and place fastening means which would allow for any relative expansion of the associated parts due to the variation in the heating of one or the other thereof, and yet avoid the likelihood of any loose joints between such parts. Also, it has always 2 vide a single pair of obscurely-placed fastening means which secure the top against any free movement in any direction relative to any of the other parts with which it is interlocked; and to provide an improved interlocking assembly and fastening means of this kind which is simple and economical to manufacture, positive and easy to assemble, and extremely efficient in its functioning.

In the particular embodiment of this invention shown in the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stove, the top section and fastening means for which has been been the purposeto have these fastening means obscured from sight as fully as possible.

The problem of attaining all of these ends at one and the same timehas been most difficult, especially in connection-with the stove top. Upon its appearace at the' time of sale and during a period of long usage depends much in the way of acceptableness of the stove. Naturally, the manner of assembling the top to the other parts has much to do with the rigidity-of the stove frame. Moreover, being contiguous to the heat ing elements, the top section is-subject to expansion more than any of the other parts. These circumstances factor in determining the character of the means whereby the top is secured in place to the other supporting parts.

Heretofore, a number of bolts and nuts have been used to connect together the perimetrical flanges on the stove top and on the vertical side, end, and back sections of the body. Thepositioning of these flanges has-madesatisfactory provision for hiding these bolts and nuts from view. However, having the top fastened at so many different points, and usually being very firmly fastened, has often notallowed for the relative yielding of the parts due to heat expansion. The resulting strains, especially on the top, have caused a cracking and chipping of the enamel surfaces, making the top section certainly unsightly and possibly unsanitary.

The main'objects of this invention, therefore,

,are to provide an improved form of interlocking assembly and fastening means for securing the top to the supporting parts so as to allow. for slight variations in undertaking to form the parts to close dimensional requirements and so as to permit a reasonable amount of expansional yielding of the top section relative-to the other parts without resulting in loose Joints; to proconstructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary and partially cut-away view of the front corner of the improved stove construction;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sec tional view taken on theline 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4-4 of ig. r

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the front portion of the stove, as viewed from the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged rear perspective of one side of the stove showing one of the fastening means in place;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the fastening means shown in Fig. 6, the view being the reverse of that shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig.9 is a similar view taken on the line 9-9;

Fig. 10 is a side-elevational view of the assembly shown in Fig. 6 as viewed from line l0-lll of Fig. 8; and

Fig, 11 is a perspective view of one of the spring clips used to ensure a tight fit. between the overlapping flanges of the front and top sections of the stove.

A stove body or housing, with which has been employed the improved form of interlocking assembly and-fastening means embodying this invention as hereinafter described, comprises a front section I 2, a pair of side sections l3, a back section l4, and a. top section l5. These parts, together with the valve apron or switch panel l6,

are of more or less conventional form and are The front section I2 is provided with an out- Within the body' lar but inwardly-extending flanges It along their upper edges.

The back M has a rearward extension 20-formed along the vertical edges thereof which nests with that part of the sides It extending rearwardly of said back it and terminating in the vertically-disposed flanges 25 located in spaced parallel relationship with said back Id. The horizontal side flanges it) (see Fig.

10) extend rearwardly to the vertical side flanges 2| (see Fig. 9). The panel I6 has an inwardlyextending flange 22 along its upper edge in opposed relationshlp to the flange is of the main front section l2.

The top I is formed with aback panel 23 and with a transverse border section 24 around the entire perimeter of the top, including the back panel 23. This border portion terminates in an inwardly-extending flange 25 extending around the entire perimeter. The flanges 25 along the lateral border portions extend rearwardly to meet the vertical flange 25 of the lateral border portions of the back panel 23.

' The top I5 is formed with the usual openings to accommodate the conventional burners or heating units. a

The preferred form of retaining bracket 25, embodying this invention, whereby the top section I5 is secured in place, is in the form of a bar or plate with its lower and upper portions 21 and 28 difierentlyflanged. Flanges 29 and 30, integral along the lateral edges of the lower portion 21, extend in opposite but parallel directions. The flange 29 continues along the upper bracket portion 26 as flange 29', whereas the flange 30 terminates at 3|. A U-shaped auxiliary element is welded or otherwise secured to the upper portion 28 of the bracket 26 so as to provide lateral flanges 32 and 33 extending in parallel planes on the same side of bracket 26 as the flanges 2929'. The U-shaped auxiliary element is positioned so that the end of the flange 32 registers with the apex of a V-shaped notch 34 cut in at the junction of flanges 2929, which locates the lower end of the flange 33 slightly above the terminus 3| of the flange 30.

Spring U-shaped clips 38 such as shown in Fig. ll serve to secure the top i5 against any free play due to any variations in the attempt to stamp out the body parts to dimensional standards. One or more of these clips may be placed over the edge of the flange i8, and have the longer leg suitably bolted to the upper face of the flange 18. This leaves the shorter leg in position to be engaged by the upper face of the front border flange 25.

A pair of the brackets 26rightand left-hand constructions, respectively-without the use of any other fastening means, lock the top section [5 in place on the front, side, and back sections. They secure the top against any front-to-back shifting, against any sidewise shifting, and against any movement vertically. When the top i5 is placed in position on these sections the flange 25, extending inwardly from the front border section 24, slips under the forwardly-extending flange l8 of the front l2, whereas the flanges 25 along the lateral border sections rest on top of the inwardly-extending flanges IQ of the sides l3. When this top is pushed back,-so that the edge of the flange l8 on the front l2 abuts against the inner face of the transverse border portion 24 along the front of the top, the flanges 25 along the lateral border portions 24 of the back panel 23 are disposed rearwardly of a position of vertical alinement with the flanges 2!, a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the flange 32 on the upper bracket part 28 (see Figs. 6 and 8). How nearly alined would be the vertical relationship of these two flanges 2i and 25 would depend upon how the flange 32 is formed on the bracket portion 28 and the type of nut used on the bolts which clamp the bracket flange 23 to the side flange 2|. Were the flange 32 integral with and a continuation of the flange 29, or were the parts formed so that the flange 32 replaced the flange 29', the relationship of these parts of the flanges 2| and 25 to vertical alinement would be altered accordingly. Likewise, the type of nuts on the fastening bolts would similarly afiect the relationship of these flange parts. In any event, these flange parts 25 and 2! are to be relatively positioned so that when a bracket 26 is in place between the back i l and a side flange 2! said flange part 25 abuts against the bracket flange 32.

With the top l5 thus assembled on the several supporting sections, a pair of right-hand and left-hand bracket members 26 are placed in position at the opposite back sides, as shown in Figs. 6 and 10. This brings the flange 26 inwardly of and in engagement with the flange 2i and locates the flange 30 against the back I4. The flange 32 is thus located inwardly of the flange 25 on the top back panel 23 with the notch 34 engaging the inner edges of the superimposed rearward extensions of the side flange i9 and the top flange 25 and with the lower ends of the bracket flanges 32 and 33 resting on the top of the flange 25. The outer vertical edges of the bracket flanges 32 and 33 abut against the inner face of the opposed border section 24 of the top back panel 23.

With the pair of bracket members 26 thus placed in position, threaded bolts 35 are inserted through registering holes in the flanges'2l and 23 and one or more threaded .bolts 36 are inserted through registering holes in the flange 30 and the back l4. Nuts are placed and drawn up on the bolts 35 and 36 inwardly of the flange 25 and back M, respectively. Although these nuts may be of any suitable type, as shown in Fig. '7, the special type spring lock-nut 31 shown is preferred, since it secures the nuts against accidental displacement. Such a lock nut is of U-shaped spring metal form as shown in Figs. 7 and 9 which has prongs 31' upseir'from one leg thereof, the opposed ends of which are threaded and axially alined with an opening 31" in the other 'leg. Thus the threads on the bolts 35.and 36 screw into the opposed ends of theprongs 31 and have a tendency to draw the spring prongs 31' inwardly which serves to lock the bolts 35 and 36 against accidental displacement.

With these clamping brackets thus bolted in place, the top is prevented from any front-toback shifting because of the engagementof the inwardly-extending flange l8 of the front l2 with the transverse border section 24 and flange 25 along the front and the interlocking engagement of the flanges 2i and 25 against the respective flanges 29 and 32. The top is also-held against any sidewise movement by reason of the fact that the opposite brackets 26 flrmly engage the opposed inner faces of the transverse border section 24 of the top'back panel 23. Moreover, the top is prevented from having any vertical movement by reason of the fact that the superimposed extensions of the flanges l9 and 25 are firmly secured under the ends of the flanges 32 and 33 and held against the flange 28 at the point of the notch 84.

Variations and modification in the details of structure'and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A sheet metal stove construction of the class described comprising, side, front, and back sec-- tions wherein the side and front sections are suitably securedtogether along their vertical abutting perimeters and the. back section is secured between said side sections inwardly of their rear 'vertical perimeters, said front and sides having horizontally-disposed flanges formed along their upper edges, the flange on said front extending forwardly thereof and the flanges on said side,

sections extending inwardly, a vertical flange extending inwardly from each of; said sides in rearwardly-spaced parallel'relationship to-said back. a top section having a transverse perimetrical border formed with an inwardly-extending to said back, a top section formed with an iniegral vertical back panel and having a transverse border portion around its entire perimeter ter-' minating in an inwardly-extending flange spaced from but parallel to the plane of said top and its back panel respectively, said top section being assembled with said side, front, and back sections with the border flange along the front edge flange, said top being assembled with a said side,

front, and back sections with the border flange along the front edge of said top engaged under the forwardly-extending flange on said vertical front section but with the lateral border flanges of said top resting upon the flanges of said side sections, and a retaining bracket interposed between and secured to said back section and each of the contiguous inwardly extending side flanges, a part on each of said brackets interlocking with the flange of the adjacent border portion of said top and abutting against the inner face of the adjacent top border so as to secure said top against forward-rearward and sidewise movement relative to said front, back, and side sections. i 2. A sheet metal stove construction of the class 'described comprising, side, front, and back sections wherein the side and front sections are suitably secured together along their vertical abutting perimeters and the back section is secured between said side sections inwardly of their rear vertical perimeters, said front and sides having horizontally-disposed flanges formed along their upper edges, the flange on said front extending forwardly thereof and the flanges on said side sections extending inwardly, a vertical flange extending inwardly from each of said sides in rearwardly-spaced parallel relationship to said back, a top section having a transverse perimetrical border formed with an inwardly-extending flange, said-top being assembled with said side, front, and back sections with of said top engaged under the forwardly-extending flange on said vertical front section and with thelateral border flanges of said top resting upon the flanges of said side section and also with the lateral border flanges on said back panel in approximate vertical alinement with the inwardly-extending vertical side flanges paralleling said back section, and a retaining bracket interposed between and secured to said back section and each of the contiguous inwardly-extending vertical side flanges, a part on each of said brackets interlocking with the adjacent inwardly-extending lateralborder flange on said back panel and abutting against the inner faces of the adjacent lateral border of said panel so as to secure said top against forward-rearward and sidewise shifting relative to said front, side, and back sections.

4. A sheet metal stove construction of the class described comprising, side, front, and back sections wherein the side and front sections are suitably secured together alongtheir vertical abutting perimeter and the back section is secured between said side sections inwardly of their rear vertical perimeters, said front and sides having horizontally-disposed flanges formed along their upper edges, the flange on said front extending forwardly thereof and the flanges on said side sections extending inwardly and continuing rearwardly of said back section, a vertical flange extending inwardly from each of said sides in re'arwardly-spaced parallel relationship the border flange along the front edge of said top engaged under the forwardly-extending flange on said vertical front section but with the lateral border flanges of said top resting upon the flanges of said side sections, and a retainin bracket interposed between and secured to said back section and each of the contiguous inwardly-extending side flanges, a part on each of said bracket interlocking with the flange of the adjacent border portionof said top and abuttin against the inner face of the adjacent top border so as to secure said top against forward-rearward and sidewise movement relative to said front, back, and side sections, said retaining brackets each having spaced shoulders formed thereon and adapted to engage and hold the top border flange against vertical separation from the side flanges whereon it rests.

3. A sheet metal stove construction of the class described comprising, side, front, and back secto said back, a top section formed with an integral back panel and having a transverse border portion around its entire perimeter terminating in an inwardly-extending flange, the horizontal flanges along the lateral edges extending rearwardly to meet the vertical flange along the lateral edges of the back panel, said top being assembled with said side, front, and back sections with the border flange along the front edge of said top engaged under the forwardly-extending flange on said vertical front section and with the lateral border flanges of said top resting on the inwardly-extending flanges obsaid side sections relative to said front, side, and back sections;

each of said retaining brackets being recessed to provide a pair oi opposed shoulders adapted to respectively engage the under and upper faces of the superimposed flanges of said top and side sections rearwardly of said back so as to also secure said top against vertical separation from said side sections.

5. A sheet metal stove construction of the class described comprisinm, side, front, and back sections wherein the side and front sections are suitably secured together along their vertical abutting perimeters and the back section is secured between said side sections inwardly of their rear vertical perimeters, said front and sides having horizontally-disposed flanges formed along their upper edges, the flange on said front ex- 8 tending in the same direction, said brackets being positioned with the parthaving the oppositely-disposed lateral flanges interposed between and secured to the back section and the respec- ,tive contiguou inwardly-extending parallel side flange and with one of the flanges on the other part placed inwardly of and in engagement with the respective inwardly-extending border flange on the back panel of said top and with its edge tending forwardly thereof and the flanges on said side sections extending inwardly and continuing rearwardly of said back section, a vertical flange extending inwardly from each of said sides in rearwardly-spaced parallel relationship to said back, a top section formed with an integral back panel and having a transverse border portion around its entire perimeter terminating in an inwardlyextending flange, the horizontal flanges along the lateral edges extending rear-- wardly to meet the vertical flanges along the lateral edges of the backipanel, said top being assembled with said side, front, and-back sections with the border flange along the front edge of said top engaged under the forwardly-extending flange on said vertical front section and with the lateral border flanges of said top resting on the inwardly-extending flanges of said side sections and also withthe vertical border flanges on said back panel being in, approximate vertical alinement with the inwardly-extending vertical side flanges paralleling said back section, and a pair of retaining brackets the lower portion of each having flanges along the lateral edges extending in opposite direction and the upper portion of I each having flanges along its lateral edges exbearing against the adjacent-inner face of the panel border whereby said top is secured against forward-rearward and sidewise movement relative to said front, side, and back sections, the lateral flange on said one part of said bracket which extends in the same direction as the flanges on said other part of said members having a V- shaped notch formed therein adjacent to the end of the other lateral flange on said other part so as to form a pair of opposed shoulders adapted to respectively engage the under and upper faces of the superimposed flanges on said top and side sections rear'wardly of said back thereby also holding said top against vertical separation from said side sections.

' CHARLES J. ROGERS.

JESSE BRIGHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Sherman Dec. 13, 1938 

